An Integrated Approach to Mitigating Antimicrobial Resistance in Cattle and Poultry and Establishing Stewardship Programs for Small and Medium-Sized Ranchers.

Goals: The long-term goal of this research is to educate small and medium-sized cattle and poultry producers to better understand antibiotic resistance factors on farms and maximize their profits in their production systems. In addition, Geographical information system (GIS) platform will be applied to visualize geographical antimicrobial resistance factors in animal farms in Tennessee and Alabama. This project will establish a research/outreach units for training farmers and its results will increase productivity and income, improved marketing strategies, and management skills for small and medium-sized cattle and poultry farms. Establishing Antimicrobial Stewardship and Tailored Best Management Practices (BMP) programs will result to healthy animals and capitals gains for small and medium-sized cattle and poultry farms.The land resource and farmers who use and sustain it represent the foundation of our Nation through production of food, fiber, and other products. However, farmers face challenges and require education and training to incorporate the latest scientific information into their daily operations. The emergence of antimicrobial resistant pathogens in the animal production systems has become a major challenge to many farmers and the public health. The potential threat to human health because of inappropriate antibiotic use in food animals is significant, as pathogenic-resistant organisms in these animals are poised to enter the food supply chain and could be broadly distributed in food products. Consumers are aware of the threat from the overuse of antibiotics in food animals, hence the demand formeatgrown withoutantibioticshas accelerated. Currently, there is a trend of meat processing facilities and companies going antibiotics-free meat as more consumers demand it. The Food and Drug Administration, responding to concerns about antibiotic-resistant bacteria, have requested drug and meat companies to end the practice of using antibiotics in livestock. Consequently the prompt demand for organic meats has, however, brought challenges to small and medium-sized farms which are struggling to meet the demand. These farms continue to struggle with low income and limited access to educational programs. Unless the small and medium-sized producers are provided with knowledge and assistance in judicious use of antibiotics, they will not be competitive in the meat industry. Enhancing knowledge and skills is vital for the creation of inclusive and sustainable agriculture. Therefore, there is urgency to provide livestock producers needed tools and training to assist in control of pathogens and maximize their profits in their production systems.Implementation of Best Management Practices (BMPs) and antimicrobial stewardship programs for animal production systems will slow the spread of antimicrobial resistance. The U.S. Department of Agriculture and stakeholders have identified gaps encumbering the mitigation of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) and maximizing farmers' profits in their production systems. A comprehensive understanding of best management practices and the correlation between antibiotic-resistant bacteria and use of antimicrobials in agriculture is vital in (1) the development of strategies and interventions to minimize the spread of resistance and (2) choosing production methods that maximizes farmers' profits under risk and uncertainty. Therefore, the overall goal of this project is to use an integrated approach to determine the occurrence of antibiotic resistant bacteria in poultry and cattle farms, train producers on BMPs while maximizing capital gains, and establish antimicrobial tailored stewardship programs.Objectives. The activities, their sequence, and approaches proposed span under the four objectives stated below.Characterize antibiotic resistant indicator and pathogenic bacteria in cattle and poultry farms. Antimicrobial resistant bacteria and resistance patterns will be established, this information will be used for retrospective spatiotemporal analysis and educating the farmers.Collect data on actual antimicrobial use and disposal practices in various animal production settings (cattle, poultry). This will indicate the risk associated with use of antibiotic in farm settings.Develop and implement educational antimicrobial stewardship and Best Management Practices programs. This is aimed to fill education, training, and outreach gaps relative to antimicrobial resistance.Conduct risk communication workshops based on fact?based antimicrobial resistance in cattle and poultry farms. Stewardship programs will be tailored and individualized to meet the needs of the operational systems that are in place at poultry and cattle farms.